Wings coach Mike Babcock addresses the media after Game 7 of his team's Stanley Cup playoffs series against the Los Angeles Kings. Babcock's team joins the ranks of teams that lost a series after holding a 3-1 lead. (Dan Mannes/Detroit Red Wings)

History is on display at Joe Louis Arena, with nothing more powerful and evident than the Red Wings' collection of Stanley Cup banners. Those and sweaters of retired players make even Wings players humble. (Dan Mannes/Detroit Red Wings)

Al the Octopus is as much a part of the Red Wings as the winged wheel logo. This large character hangs above the ice at The Joe. Why an octopus? The legend dates back to April 15, 1952, when the Cusimano brothers, owners of a fish shop, decided to toss a carcass on the ice. The critter's eight arms represented the victories needed to win the Stanley Cup back in the Original Six era. (Dan Mannes/Detroit Red Wings)

Johan Franzen gets in his morning's work, which normally includes skating, shooting, passing and assorted horseplay. Franzen, a hard-worker and playoff hero, is also known as The Mule. (Dan Mannes/Detroit Red Wings)